Haunted place

The Cock Lane Ghost

Smithfield, London

'Scratching Fanny', the knocking ghost who had all of London talking.

In 1762 knocks and scratches in a house in Cock Lane were said to be the ghost of a young woman, Fanny, accusing her lover of poisoning her. Crowds blocked the street, and famous men including Dr Samuel Johnson came to investigate.

Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.

Open The Cock Lane Ghost on the map Report a sighting here

When: 1762
Where: 51.5170, -0.1020
Group: Haunted places

Visiting

Cock Lane is a public street near Smithfield Market; look for the golden boy on the corner of Giltspur Street.

Nearby mysteries

Newgate PrisonExecution site · Old Bailey, City of London · under a mile away
SmithfieldExecution site · West Smithfield, London · under a mile away
Howard House (Charterhouse)Plot · Clerkenwell, London · under a mile away
Cheapside HoardLost treasure · Cheapside, London · under a mile away
The Kingsway TunnelsSecret site · Chancery Lane, London · under a mile away
Gog and MagogHill figure · Guildhall, City of London · under a mile away